They are all kind of the same, really

With the short, but obvious invasion of electric SUVs on the market, I am quite interested in what all of those machines bring. Many of the major manufacturers invested heavily in introducing a new generation of electric SUVs with Mercedes, Audi, Jaguar, and BMW coming long after Tesla actually sparked the creation of the entire segment with the Model X.

Now, with a number of electric SUVs on the market one would expect some radically different thinking behind a seemingly similar car, but that may not be the case. Aside from five expensive electric SUVs (the I-Pace, the Model X, the EQ C, the E-Tron and theiX3 Concept), the only ones that were brave enough to give the market an electric shock are Hyundai and Kia with the Kona Electric and the Niro EV. So, learn here what all of them bring to the table and how do they differ.

Exterior

The high-tech look

Making a futuristic looking vehicle wasn’t the only path Jaguar designers had to take when imagining the new electric I-Pace. In fact, they’ve made it to perfectly suit the lineup without being too futuristically obsessive, like, for example, Mercedes-Benz was with its EQ C.

However, the I-Pace, as is the case with any other vehicle on this list, fits in a rather strange market group of vehicles.

Considering its dimensions, the overall look, feel, and strange astuteness on the road, it cannot be directly compared with any vehicle here. Seemingly, it is trying to find its own place under the sun.

Interior

The inteior is as premium as they come

While the exterior follows the subtle design cues of other Jaguar novel vehicles, the interior, on the other hand, seems to be as futuristic as possible. T

he ambiance inside is largely dominated (and decorated, might I add), with three large screens - one behind the steering wheel, the other on the center of the dash, and the third on a special cantilever underneath the main infotainment screen in the middle.
This arrangement reminds me of what Audi is doing with its cars (including the E-Tron SUV) and, more precisely, what Range Rover had done with the Velar interior.

Drivetrain and performance

It’s powered by a 90-kWh battery

The Jaguar I-Pace is powered by two electric motors, each of which develops 200 horsepower and 257 pound-feet of torque. This makes for a propulsion system with a maximum power output of 400 horsepower and 513 pounds-feet of torque. Interestingly enough, the drag coefficient isn’t as low as on some other cars on this list - the drag coefficient of the Jaguar I-Pace is 0.29 Cd.

Regardless, 400 horsepower is enough to accelerate 4,702 lbs worth of I-Pace to 62 mph in 4.8 seconds and to an electronically limited top speed of 124 mph.

Battery Capacity:

90 kWh

Range:

220 miles

Charging technology:

Jaguar wall box. The I‑PACE is equipped with a 7kW, single phase AC onboard charger, which can fully recharge the vehicle overnight and deliver up to 35km (22 miles) of range per hour. A home socket can charge the battery for up to 38 miles per night. A typical 50kW charger can deliver up to 270km (168 miles) of range per hour*. As the public charging infrastructure improves, the I‑PACE will be equipped to accept up to a 100kW DC charge rate. This means you can easily add 100km (62 miles) of range in just 15 minutes.

Exterior

I mean the Model X still feels somehow fresh and surprising, despite boasting a design that could be only called an “inflated Model S”.

Sure, it is more of a minivan than an SUV, but its size, the fact that it offers so much room inside, and those insane doors do make up for a lot of styling dullness some may notice on it.

Interior

The seats are cool, the room is great, the options are nice, but the overall ambiance lacks the composure of high-end SUVs some on this list most certainly extail.

I find the Tesla Model X interior too simplistic.

Too “out there”. It is somehow lacking that wow factor and premium feel its price would suggest.

Drivetrain and performance

Bear in mind, the Model X 75D is the least powerful Tesla Model X. Yet, the electric motors, in this case, develop 387 pound-feet of torque and 329 horsepower. Definitely not the most powerful car here but most certainly powerful enough for any imaginable electric adventure.

The performance says a lot. It will reach 60 mph in 5.2 seconds and top out at 130 mph.

Exterior

As far as futurism goes, the Mercedes-Benz EQ C seems like the most futuristic car on this list.

Not only does it take Mercedes’ current design language and translate it into something new, but it does all that with the basic GLC. See, the EQ C is about the same size as the GLC and even shares a lot of tech with it.

Interior

However, it does feature the latest evolution of the MBUX infotainment system, as well as the design you may, basically, find on any modern expensive Mercedes - with a large single piece display that extends from behind the steering wheel towards the center.

Drivetrain and performance

Dual electric motor setup seems to be mandatory for the new generation of the electric SUVs. The Mercedes-Benz EQ C, also, has two electric motors that develop 402 horsepower and 564 pound-feet of torque. The thing is that the EQ C is heavy - 5,346 lbs.

Despite its weight, it will jump to 62 mph in 4.9 seconds and to a top speed of 112 mph.

Battery Capacity:

80 kWh

Range:

200+ miles (yet undefined by EPA standards)

Charging technology:

CCS Combo DC fast-charge port will handle up to 110 kW, which Mercedes says should charge the battery to 80 percent in about 40 minutes,
the EQC includes a 7.4-kW onboard charger that enables an overnight recharge.

Exterior

When introducing the new Audi E-Tron SUV, Audi officials said that the company wanted to create a normal, regular car, only powered by electricity.

The result is the E-Tron SUV which does look like any other Audi SUV.

Had Audi revealed it with an ICE no one would have batted an eye. But it is not ICE powered. That is the whole idea behind it - to be a normal Audi.

Interior

Taking the main cues from the high-end ICE powered models, Audi modeled the E-Tron SUV interior to be as impressive as the one in its latest SUV. This includes the latest MMI integration. Probably with even more gear than you may have on the regular models.

Drivetrain and performance

Audi actually reported that it did not want to chase any sporty performance figures with the E-Tron. Not in those words, mind you.

Nevertheless, the motors produce 402 horsepower which is enough for a 0-60 mph sprint in 5.5 seconds. Top speed? 124 mph.

I am certain this is good enough.

Battery Capacity:

95 kWh

Range:

248 (European WLTP test procedure, which means it will probably offer 200+ miles of range according to EPA standards)

Exterior

Exterior differences between the Kia Niro and the Kia Niro EV are basically minimal.

It is the same car, only with a new closed off grille, different wheels, and some other aerodynamic enhancements.

Obviously, not as special as some cars on this list clearly are. This is not shocking given that the Kia Niro EV is one of the cheapest here.

Interior

While the Kia Niro EV does have some special touches like the rotary gear selector and the parking brake button, it is in fact just the same as in any other Niro. Not bad in any shape or form, but not special either.

Drivetrain and performance

Power comes from the 201 horsepower and 291 pound-foot electric motor good for acceleration to 60 mph in 7.8 seconds. Something like a warm-hatch.

Conclusion

It really looks like managers of all of these manufacturers sat down around a table and made an agreement.

It went down something like this:

Let’s install a lot of displays inside, work on the aerodynamics as much as possible, keep the motor power at a similar level and while at that, let’s all install two motors in our SUVs.

I would not be surprised to learn that this really happened. While it is nice to see the dawn of an all-new class of vehicles, I find it quite uninspiring and rather disappointing to see all the cars with basically similar performance, the same technology underneath, and the same freaking SUV/crossover architecture. That is why the Kona Electric and the Niro EV seem like the most honest of all of them. Hyundai and Kia, if nothing, tried to scale down the tech. Others on this list, while definitely sporting unique looks and somewhat different dimensions compared with one another, are rather similar. Two motors, a 400ish horsepower output, all-wheel drive, basically the same safety gear, and advanced infotainment systems with a lot of displays. All of the premium cars here have all the same ingredients.